Pangolins are fascinating creatures that have captured the attention of wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists around the world. These unique mammals are often described as being part reptile and part mammal, with tough scales covering their bodies and long tongues used for capturing insects. Unfortunately, pangolins are also the world's most trafficked mammal, hunted for their meat and scales, which are used in traditional medicine and as a luxury food item.
Physical Characteristics
Pangolins are found in Asia and Africa and are often referred to as "scaly anteaters" due to their unique appearance. They range in size from about 30 centimeters (12 inches) to nearly one meter (39 inches) in length, depending on the species. Their bodies are covered in tough, overlapping scales made of keratin, which is the same material that makes up human hair and nails. The scales are used for protection against predators and can be lifted when the pangolin rolls into a ball, leaving only the sharp edges exposed.
Pangolins have short legs and long, prehensile tails that they use for balance and climbing. They are primarily nocturnal and have poor eyesight, but a keen sense of smell. They use their long tongues, which can be longer than their bodies, to capture insects, mainly ants and termites. Their tongues are covered in a sticky saliva that allows them to catch their prey quickly and efficiently.
Habitat and Distribution
Pangolins are found in a variety of habitats, from forests and grasslands to savannas and deserts. They are primarily solitary animals, although they may come together during mating season or when seeking out food. There are eight species of pangolins, all of which are found in Africa and Asia.
The four species that are found in Africa:
The Giant Ground Pangolin (Smutsia gigantea)
The Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)
The Black-Bellied Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla)
The White-Bellied Pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis)
And the four species that are found in Asia:
The Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)
The Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)
The Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica)
The Philippine Pangolin (Manis culionensis)
All eight species of pangolins are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and trafficking, and are protected under international law.
Pangolins are found in a range of countries across Africa and Asia. In Africa, they are found in sub-Saharan countries such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
In Asia, pangolins are found in countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Mating & Raising Young
Pangolins are generally solitary animals, but they may come together during mating season or when seeking out food. Some species, such as the ground pangolin, are more social than others and may form small groups.
Mating in pangolins typically occurs during the dry season, with females attracting males through scent marking and vocalizations. Once a male finds a receptive female, they will engage in courtship behavior, which may include vocalizations and chasing. After mating, the male will typically leave and have no involvement in raising the offspring.
Gestation in pangolins lasts around 140 to 150 days, depending on the species. Females typically give birth to a single offspring, although twins have been reported in some cases. The newborn pangolin is blind and helpless, weighing just a few ounces and covered in soft hair. It will remain with its mother for several months, clinging to her belly or riding on her back. During this time, the mother will provide milk for her offspring, which is rich in nutrients to help the baby grow.
As the pangolin grows, it will begin to venture out on its own, learning to forage for insects and defend itself against predators. Pangolin mothers are protective of their young and will defend them against potential threats, such as other animals or humans. However, once the young pangolin reaches independence, it will typically leave its mother and establish its own territory.
Threats
Pangolins are preyed upon by a variety of predators, including large carnivores such as lions, leopards, and hyenas. They are also hunted by humans for their meat and scales, which are highly valued in traditional medicine.
Pangolins have a few adaptations to protect themselves from predators. When threatened, they will curl up into a tight ball, with their scales providing a tough armor that is difficult for predators to penetrate. They may also hiss, puff, and emit a foul-smelling liquid from their anal glands as a defense mechanism.
Despite these adaptations, pangolins continue to be threatened by predators and human hunting. The demand for their meat and scales has led to widespread poaching and trafficking, and all eight species of pangolins are now listed as threatened or endangered.
In addition to being hunted for their meat and scales, pangolins are also threatened by habitat loss and degradation. As their natural habitats are destroyed and fragmented by human activities such as agriculture, logging, and mining, pangolins are increasingly vulnerable to predation and other threats.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of pangolins varies depending on the species and their environment. In the wild, pangolins typically live for 10-20 years, although some individuals may live up to 30 years. In captivity, where they are protected from predators and have access to veterinary care and a steady food supply, pangolins may live longer.
Diet
Pangolins are insectivores, feeding primarily on ants and termites. They use their long, sticky tongues to capture their prey and can consume up to 70 million insects per year. Pangolins have no teeth, so they grind their food using the tough, muscular lining of their stomachs.
In addition to insects, pangolins may also eat small amounts of vegetation, such as leaves and fruit. However, their diet is primarily made up of insects, and they are able to locate their prey using their keen sense of smell.
Pangolins play an important role in their ecosystems by controlling insect populations and helping to maintain the balance of the food chain. However, their reliance on insects also makes them vulnerable to habitat loss and the use of pesticides, which can greatly reduce the availability of their food supply.
